Tracey Rangel Cruz

I recently hired Tracey Cruz to represent me in a DUI case. The CHP arrested me while I was parked in an empty parking lot on an early Sunday evening. The Officer drove up next to my window and told me he was investigating a report of a stolen vehicle in the area and noticed that I was not parked between the marked parking spaces! Tracey went out of her way to get the CHP video, the Dispatch tapes and I met her in the Parking lot to film a defense video showing the clearly unmarked parking spaces where I was contacted. Tracey went to the prosecuting attorney with all of the information. She was also able to show the Officers probable cause was sketchy at best. The BOL for the stolen car was a red older model truck. I was parked in a newer Black SUV. Tracey also discovered the CHP dispatch canceled the BOL approximately 5 minutes before contacting me. Tracey went to the Prosecutor with the information and the prosecuting DA offered an agreeable settlement! Tracey really took a personal interest in my case and went out of her way to save me a lot of money and headaches!

I first et Tracy in 2010, needing a lawyer to help me out with my divorce. At the time I was looking for legal advice and she told me everything I needed to do. Shortly after that my ex-wife continued to accuse me of some pretty awful things that had to do with my children so I asked her what my options were. She didn't hesitate to help me. During that time I was only seeking advice. It wasn't until 2011 that I called Tracy back to let her know that my was dragging her feet with the divorce and I just needed it over as soon as possible. Tracy didn't waste anytime. When I said "as soon as possible" she took that to heart and less than a month later my divorce was final. Over a year and a half later while on my second deployment I found out my ex-wife had been doing some pretty unimaginable things and putting my children in the middle of it. We talked about the case on a weekly basis for about 2 months. One day Tracy called me and said "Shawn I want more than anything for you to win this case, but because I'm based out of Santa Barbara and the judge you it will be hard because he doesn't really care for Santa Barbara lawyers". Let's stop there for a second. (1)Tracy thought enough of me and my kids that she would refer to a local lawyer. (2) That took money out of her pocket and put it in someone elses. (That's pretty SELFLESS if you ask me). Tracy then asked me if I would be ok with her drafting all the paperwork up for my new lawyer, of course I told her yes. The hours she spent working on my case by herself aswell as assisting my new lawyer was awesome. Because of the paperwork she drafted up and the countless hours she put in I now a single FATHER have 100% custody of my children. Tracy was there for me anytime I needed anything and when I hadn't spoken to her in over a year and a half she remembered everything about me my children and my case. When you hire Tracy you aren't just getting a lawyer you are getting someone who truly loves their job and someone who take every case personally and to heart. I would 100% recommend her to anyone.

I have worked with Tracey through a contentious child custody divorce proceeding. She has remained steadfast in attention, knowledge and truly concerned in what goes on with me and my child's life. After firing my first attorney, who was inept, I went to court with her and as a team we prevailed so that I was able to become an equal parent in what had appeared to be a lopsided victory before I took action and replaced my first attorney. An attorney is someone that works for you, but you must make some hard decisions and give them guidance. Some people don't get that, especially if it is your first run in the legal/court world. I believe that while she gave me sound advice she never directed me to settle for anything less than I truly wanted which was to be an equal parent. She is a former DA and a parent. Very savvy in the court room.

I needed help with a child custody and support issue. Tracey was able to handle this in a very professional yet friendly and quick manner. Her entire staff was great to work with and I would hire her again!

Tracey handled my son's DUI case and her staff were great and nice people to talk when you had questions they were able to answer them. I lived out of town from Bakersfield, CA. They handle all my services and did a wonderful job. Again thanks to Devin , Tracy assistant ,who was amazing.......... Plus the other staff...... from client (mother)

Tracey is the real deal. I was in a real time crunch, and she did some amazing work in "break neck" time! Thanks Tracey!

I was down and out. I felt hopeless and helpless at a time when my infant son needed me the most. New to the area and no friends, I turned to Tracey Rangel Cruz for help and she was there to rescue us. She is highly knowledgeable, strategic and effective. Against all odds, I was successful in my case and my son's safety was the result. Our lives are forever changed for the better and I owe it all to Tracey. Words on a website can't express my gratitude.

Its difficult to put into words what Mrs. Rangel Cruz did for our family. First off, would like to say that we found her after asking another Attorney for a referral. He is a family friend and doesnt do family law. He highly recommended Tracey. My daughter was going through a very stressful divorce with child custody issues. Her ex husband was violent and we were extremely concerned for her safety as well as the safety of our Grandchildren. Without getting into any personal details, Tracey did the impossible. If we were to draft the perfect outcome, that is what she obtained for our family. We remain forever grateful for all that she and her staff did for us.

I met with four lawyers and none of them were a good match until I met with Tracey. She put me at ease and made me feel really comfortable. She answered all my questions clearly and concisely. She gave me several different strategies for handling my case, and possible outcomes and costs. I was very happy with the service and subsequently referred several friends and family members who also reported good results. I give her my highest recommendation.

Fantastic service, what a great attorney! Tracey answered all my questions and she did a great job in court.

Compassionate and understanding are words that best fit Tracey and her dealing with my case. The results obtained by Tracey could well have been life changing, she’s capable of reading your enemy’s mind, she’s decisive and knows how to knock off arguments and knock their teeth so to speak out of their mouth and pound it even more until they finally capitulate. Never seen a lawyer like her. She’s good at what she does; it’s a pleasure watching her.

Last summer I was forcefully being escorted out of a party in Santa Barbara on the basis of not knowing anyone there. I took self defense and woke up in the hospital with 5 stitches after someone smashed a bottle over my head. The witnesses and "victims" were intoxicated, surrounded me and used physical force against me. To my utter disbelief a month later I was mailed a notice that I was being charged with 242 PC M Assault and Battery. I hired Tracey on 10/21/13 and received a confirmation email notifying me of my payment, I did not hear from her again until almost 2 months later until 12/9/13 the day before my final hearing. Within that time period I sent her personal emails, called her several times, spoke with her assistants and asked for her to get back to me, she never did. I received a call from Tracey at around 6:00 PM on 12/9/13, she was calling to tell me about a settlement she wanted me to agree to. When I inquired why she had not responded to any emails, phone calls or messages left for her with her assistants, she responded simply with "I thought we were trying to get a hold of you", then she proceeded to tell me the "good news." She had received a settlement offer from the DA which was "my best option." The settlement was that I would admit to a crime I was wrongfully accused for, I would have 3 years probation, up to $2,000 in fines and I could no longer visit Isla Vista; to my "benefit" the DA would not pursue jail time. My short conversation with Tracey revolved around me asking her why I would ever agree to this and how this was even considered a settlement. She responded several times with this statement: "the DA will not pursue jail time, although they probably couldn't anyway because there were no serious injuries done to the victims." Then she proceeded to accuse me of the crime I was being charged with "well you did punch them,you battered them. There is no defense for that" (Tracey R. Cruz). I told her I needed time to think about the settlement, she replied by saying that the hearing was at 8:30 AM the next morning and I needed to make a decision. I could not believe that she had disappeared for more than 1&1/2 months and decided to call me the night before my hearing. I told her to ask the judge for more time, so that I could think about it and do some research. I was then informed that, without notifying me, she had asked for more continuances "I have asked for several extensions and I do not think the Judge will grant another continuance." At that moment I decided to cut my losses, fire Tracey and hire myself a new attorney. I told her to tell the judge she was being replaced and to please give me more time to find a new attorney. At the time I was a UC Engineering student (now graduated) with no previous criminal record, had hundreds of community service hours and had worked as a tutor/mentor for underrepresented Sr. & Jr. high students in Santa Barbara; it was almost 100% guarantee that the judge would not give me any jail time. Unfortunately it dawned on me that I could have gone into my own hearing weeks earlier, explained the situation, shown my $10,000 in medical bills, and at the very least gotten the exact same sentence if not a way more lenient one or even have gotten the judge to dismiss the case. Tracey had been absolutely useless. I was granted the extension and found an expert lawyer with 100% positive reviews on yelp and avvo. My new attorney felt for my situation and explained to me that Tracey had not helped at all and actually made my situation worse. He said he usually did not comment on his fellow professionals but he did not have high regards for her work, reputation and in this case she had wasted my time and money. Have a clue. Say no to Cruz!!